David Rudisha

At 20:00 BST,David Rudishawill aim to show the world that he is the greatest 800m runner of all time.

The 23-year-old Kenyanmay have entered these Games under the radar of many, but there is a good reason why BBC athletics commentator and Olympic medallist Brendan Foster has described him as the star attraction of London 2012.

Speaking beforeTuesday's semi-final- which Rudisha won at a canter ahead of British athlete Andrew Osagie - Foster said: "We are talking about a magnificent athlete. This man could be the star of these Olympic Games.

"We've got Usain Bolt winning lots of medals but this man could break the world record if he puts his mind to it."

Rudisha did that twice within the space of a single week in 2010, lowering the best time over two laps to one minute 41.01 at the age of just 21, and hehas recorded six of the 10 fastest 800m ever run,as well as winning gold at last year's World Championships in South Korea.

Analysis

Lord CoeChairman, London 2012

"David Rudisha is the outstanding 800m runner of his generation. And I will say it, probably on paper the most impressive track and field athlete at these Games - I would say that, wouldn't I?"

It is, historically, not an easy record to break. The time of 1:41.73 set by London Games chief Sebastian Coe in 1981 stood for more than 16 years before it was matched, and then improved, by Kenyan-born Dane Wilson Kipketer. He and Rudisha remain the only men ever to better Coe's figures, and no-one except the Kenyan has broken the 1:43 barrier this year.

Yet remarkably there are even hopes that Rudisha could become the first man to break 1:40 in the final.

Whatever the time, Foster is in no doubt that he will deliver gold.

He said: "He likes to run from the front. He doesn't like trouble around him and he is outstanding enough to not have to worry about people around him.

"Nobody can touch him. He's a beautiful athlete to watch."

Rudisha's father, Daniel, was also an athlete and took silver in the 4x400m relay in the 1968 Games in Mexico City.

Rudisha told BBC Sport: "My father is a big inspiration to me - he is the reason why I am here, why I am running.

The fastest 800m ever

·David Rudisha:1:41.01

·David Rudisha:1:41.09

·Wilson Kipketer:1:41.11

·Wilson Kipketer:1:41.24

·David Rudisha:1:41.33

"I understand that billions of people are watching. Doing something special at the Olympics would be an honour.

"Kenya know I am going to bring this gold home. They have no doubt. I want to do it for them."

And while the eyes of the world will be on a rangy Jamaican and his bid for Olympic greatness, they may just witness this unassuming Kenyan join him.